It’s been around for quite some time. Over 70 years. But it is “new” to me, so…
What I have here: the Rolleicord V (factory code K3C), made by Franke & Heidecke in Braunschweig, West Germany, very early in its production run, most likely late 1954.
Identification and date
Wikipedia’s model table puts the V (K3C) in production from October 1954 to March 1957, with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar f/3.5 taking lens, a Heidosmat f/3.2 viewing lens, and a Synchro-Compur shutter at 1 to 1/500 plus B with X-sync. Your body serial 1501625 sits right at the start of that run. The Oxford History of Science Museum holds a Model V numbered 1504707, dated c. 1954, only about 3,000 units this one. (Rolleicord on Wikipedia)
The Xenar lens serial 3919524 backs up the date. A Schneider Super Xenar numbered 3876904 has been dated to August 1954, which puts 3919524 a bit later in 1954. That matches a camera assembled in the first months of V production. (casualphotophile)
The markings: prewar Rolleis carry DRP and DRGM (Reich patent and design registration), while postwar models carry DBP and DBGM, the Federal Republic equivalents. That fits a 1954 West German camera.
Data
Top Identification: Rolliecord DBP 1501625 DBGM
Top (viewing) lens: Heidosmat 27628
Bottom (taking) lens: Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 3919524
The first roll I shot was ISO 320, and the roll was from 2006. But it had been stored in the freezer. I had Roberts Camera develop and scan the roll for me. I made minor lighting adjustments and image rotation inside of Adobe Lightroom Classic.
View my entire Rolleicord portfolio on JacobMann.me
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